Field control device



June 23, ,1931. R. w. CARLISLE 1,811,454

FIELD CONTROL DEVI CE Filed June 29, 1928 INVENTOR R iii/Yard W Car/isle.

- ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1931 umrso STATES PATENT OFFICE BICHARD W. CARLISLE,- OI WILKINSBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELEOTRIG & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA Application filed June 29,

My invention relates to field-control desite one or both ofsaid intermediate sides.

Another object of my inventionis to reduce the number of points or positions on an insulator at which an arc is likely to strike with an arcing horn of usual practice.

Another object of my invention is to provide, an arcing-horn structure that, shall combine certain of the operating characteristics of an arcing ring with certain of the econom- 5 ical advantages of an arcing horn.

A further object of my-invention is to provide an arcing horn or field-control device that shall be simple and durable in construction'and effective in its operation.

In transmission-line practice, especially in connection with high-voltage suspension insulators, it has been usual to'employ arcing horns and rings to keep arcs away from the insulators whichthe arcs; are likely to damage. Also, in suspension insulators, the lower units-have less capacity to ground than the upper units, thus requiring the lower units to carry a greater proportion of ,the

total voltage drop across the insulator than the upper units. r

The presence of an arcing horn or ring tends to equalize the voltage gradient and to increase the minimum flashover voltage value of K the insulator, but, since a ring extends about the insulator axis, it has this tendency to a greater degreethan ahorn. However, the ring is appreciably more expensive than the horn, as well as having installation and other disadvantages notpresent in the horn.

It is myaim to provide'a better arcing- FIELD CONTROL DEVICE 1928. Serial No. 289,319.

horn structure, in that it shall have certain of the'advantages of an arcing ring and, at the same time, be free of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the ring, in accomplishing which end I utilize certain features of construction and operation of the field-control device of my co-pending application, Serial N 0. 289,320, filed J une 29, 1928, to which'reference may be had for a better understanding of the invention herein set forth.

Accordingly, in practicing my present invention, I provide an arcing-horn structure in which an arm or arms so extend, preferably in the direction of the line, and a shorter arm or arms so extend laterally to the first arm or arms as to improve the capacitance effect, increase the number of arc-striking points, compensate for the presence of adjacent disturbing elements, facilitate mount- 7 ing, economize manufacture and provide other advantages that render the device a distinct advance in the art to which it relates.

Figure 1, of the accompanying drawings, is a fragmentary top-plan View of a device embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side, elevational View of the device shown in Fig 1,

Fig. 3 is a bottom-plan view ofthe device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fig. 4 is a slightly enlarged detail perspective View of a portion of the structure shown at the bottom of Fig. 2 and at the center of Fig. 3.

7 The device comprises, in general, an insulator 2, a clamp 3, at the bottom end thereof, for securing a conductor 4 thereto, an upper arcing-horn or terminal structure 5 and a lower arcing-horn structure 6.

The insulator 2, for purposes of illustration, is shown as of a usual so-called seriesstring type comprising dielectric bodies having disks or petticoats 8 and including metal caps 9. These elements or units also include pins of a well-knowntype (not shown) for connecting the units flexibly to each similar unit therebelow and to the clamp 3, the pins being connected to clevis portions 10 on the 7 arms 15') extending transversely, or at substantially right angles to, the line conductor 4 and the arms Each of the arms 14: and 15 has an inner portion 16 et-ztending partially around the top cap 9 cooperating with the portions 1(5 of the other arm to suibstantially constitute a ring clamping structure and a portion 17 eP-Ltending along a portion of the next adjacent arm to which it is clamped or secured, a by a bolt 18.

Each of the arms l t and 15 also has a ually-uiiwardly-cnrved portion 20 mer into a gradually return-bent top portion Ql, a portion 22 extending downwardly and outwardly from the top portion ill to a position below the clamping i r supporting portion 16 and a gradually-curved outer end or tip The arms l t and 15 may further be advantageously constructed of strap metal, whereby relatively broad cylindrical clamping surfaces are provided inside the portions 16 and, by twists 2 L, these broad surfaces :1 re presented toward the lower arcing-horn structure 6.

The latter structure, also preferably cruciform and coirstructod. of strap metal, comprises arms of an integral member 26, extending in the direction of the line conductor t and secured to the underside of the c amp 3 by the bolts 12. From the position beneath the clamp 3, the arms have portions curved or bent around the conductor to up wardly-a nd-out\vaidly-extending portions 28 terminating in gradually returnbent tips or ends 2-9.

A cross member 31 of the structure 6 is constructed and shaped similarly to the member 26 compi' ing the arms 25 and has arms 32 that are shorter than the arms The cross member ill has a channeled central portion 5-33, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, which. closely tits the member to hold the members and 31 in true cruciform relation. Holes 3%. in the member 25 are for the reception of the bolts 12, and registering openings 35 in the members and 81 are for the reception of a bolt or screw 36, as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation, the cross arms 15 and 31 of the upper and lower horn structures 5 and respectively, add c: pacitance, prorido a greater number of arc-striking points and, since they are shorter than the arms and respectively, they compensate for, and

permit the closer spacing of, similar structures of adjacent parallel lines.

The construction of parts, while thus providing an arcing horn that more closely approaches the characteristics of an arcing ring than a usual horn structure, is, however, maaterially more economical in manufacture and easier to install, besides permitting a selection of combinations of striking points and control of the are by permitting the ready omission of one or more of the arms.

lVhen a weak-current discharge occurs, it strikes one of the portions 20 of the upper horn structure 5 and, having insuflicient mag netic field to force it outwardly, is carried by convection, caused by its heat, to the top portion 21, where it plays back and forth until it is dissipated. WVhen a strong'current discharge occurs, it is forced outwardly by its own magnetic lield along the upper and 7 lower horn portions 22 and 28, respectively, in either case being kept away from the insulator 2 and particularly from the top petticoat 8, as is not true of ordinary horns on weak-current discharges.

\Vhile I have shown and described a par ticular form of my invention, changes may be effected therein without departing from tile spirit and. scope thereof, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, in a transmission-line device, an insulator and an upper arcinghorn structure therefor comprising an arm extending substantially parallel to the line and an arm extending transversely to the line, each of said arms having a supporting portion adjacent to the insulator, a portion extending upwardly from said supporting portion and a portion extending downwardly from said upwarally-extending portion to a position below said supporting portion.

2. In combination, in a transmission-line device, an insulator and an upper arcinghorn structure therefor comprising an arm extending substantially parallel to the line and a shorter arm extending transversely to the line, each of said arms having a supporting portion adjacent to the insulator, a portion extending upwardly from said supporting portion and a portion extending downwardly from said upwardly-extending portion to a position below said supporting portlon.

3. In combination, an insulator, and electrodes therefor, one of said electrodes including angularly related arms extending, in gen eral, transversely to the insulator axis, each of said arms having a supporting portion adjacent to the insulator, an intermediate portion extending from said supporting portion away from said other electrode and a portion extending from said intermediate portion toward said other electrode.

4. In combination, an insulator, and elecof the device,

trodes therefor, one of said electrodes including angularly related arms extending, in eneral, transversely to the insulator axis, eac of said arms having a supporting portion adj acent to the insulator, an intermediate portion extending from said supporting portion away from said other electrode and a portion extending from said intermediate portion toward said other electrode beyond said supporting portion.

5. An electrostatic-field-control device comprising spaced electrodes, one of which includes angularly related arms extending, in general, transversely t0 the longitudinal axis of the device, each of said arms having an inner portion adjacent to said axis, an intermediate portion extending from said inner portion away from said other electrodes and a portion extending from said intermediate portion toward said other electrode.

6. An electrostatic-field-control device comprising spaced electrodes, one of which includes angularly related arms extending, in general, transversely to the longitudinal axis each of said arms having an inner portion adjacent to said axis, an intermediate portion extending from said inner portion away from said other electrode and a portion extending from said intermediate portion toward said other electrode beyond said inner portion.

7. An electrostatic-field-control device comprising spaced electrodes, one of which includes angularly related arms extending, in

:12: general, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the device, each of said arms having an inner portion ad acent to said axis, an intermediate portion extending from said inner portion away from said other electrode and an outer portion extending from said intermediate portion toward said other electrode, there being a rounded portion between said inner and intermediate portions, said intermediate ortion being rounded and said outer pogtion eing rounded adjacent to its outer en v In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of June,

RICHARD W. CARLISLE. 

